Sunderland, afraid of compromising himself, refused to look at the paper, but went immediately to the royal closet.

James directed that the Bishops should be admitted.

He had heard from his tool Cartwright that they were disposed to obey the royal mandate, but that they wished for some little modifications in form, and that they meant to present a humble request to that effect.

His Majesty was therefore in very good humour.

When they knelt before him, he graciously told them to rise, took the paper from Lloyd, and said, "This is my Lord of Canterbury's hand." "Yes, sir, his own hand," was the answer.